Ryan White and Asian Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) comprise an exceptionally diverse population, representing 1.7% of the U.S. population and 2% of new HIV infections in 2010, according to CDC. Most Asian HIV/AIDS cases are among gay/bisexual men and transgender individuals. Language and culture represent key barriers to care, as outlined in this HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau fact sheet.

Asians and Hawaiins/Pacific Islanders each comprise less than 2% of those receiving Ryan White services.

Ryan White Care Makes a Difference

Overall, Ryan White clients have higher rates of retention in care (80.4%) and better viral suppression (81.4%), compared with national data. Asians and Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders also fair better, but with variable results, according to the 2014 RSR Report, the first annual client-level data report on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

Population

Retained in Care

Achieved Viral Suppression

Overall RWHAP Population

80.4%

81.4%

Asians

79.8%

89.1%

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

74.4%

80.9%

Outcomes Among MSM Asians and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Among men who have sex with men (MSM) receiving RWHAP services, retention in care and viral suppression was comparable to overall RWHAP averages but below average for specific subgroups:

Among MSM, retention in care was lowest among MSM Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (72.2%).

Among MSM who also had injection drug use as a risk factor, retention was lowest among Asians (63.6%).

Among MSM who also had injection drug use as a risk factor, viral suppression was lowest among Asians (73.2%).

A Trans Woman Living with HIV

TA and Training Resources

The HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau and its partners have developed a number of resources to address HIV/AIDS among API populations.